Trans-RuCl2(PP)(2) (2) and cis-FeCl2(PP)(2) (4) have been synthesized by th
e reaction of the diphosphonite 1,2-bis((2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanedioxy)phosp
hino)-ethane (PP) with RuCl2(Ph3P)(3) and FeCl2, respectively. Complex 4 wa
s converted to cis-FeMe2(PP)(2) (5), for which a molecular structure was ob
tained.